Everyone pitches in when running a family restaurant

When they're not working at the restaurant, they're talking about it. At frequent family meetings, often late at night after the restaurant has closed, they go over menu selections and discuss other ways to improve things. The long hours pay off in the work ethic instilled in her children, she believes.

"My son knows some kids who have never had a job — they're now 20 years old, and they're lost," she says. "All of my kids think about the cost of things, because they've all worked for a living."

Betty shares her concern that the restaurant has gone through several managers in recent years, though she's optimistic.

"You really have to work to overcome the fly-by-night," she says. "A lot of people remember this place, and the people in the neighborhood are so thrilled we're open.

"When people learn we're here and that the food's consistent, we'll be OK." It's the customers that make running a restaurant worthwhile, she says.

"It's hard work, but it's good work," she says. "I love meeting people and talking to people. When we had Andy's, our customers were like family. That's what I'm hoping it will be like here."